We’re going to need to intentionally be with people who are different from us. We’re going to have to sign up, join, take a seat at the table. We’re going to have to learn how to listen. Have hard conversations. Share pain. And be more curious than defensive. All while seeking moments of togetherness.
Seven elements of trust emerged from the data as useful in both trusting others and trusting ourselves. I use the acronym BRAVING for the elements.
I love using BRAVING as a wilderness checklist because it reminds me that trusting myself or other people is a vulnerable and courageous process. I can’t imagine anything more important in the wilderness than self-trust. Fear will lead us astray and arrogance is even more dangerous.
Contemporary Reading
Braving The Wilderness by Brené Brown
“If your brother or sister sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If you are listened to, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If that person refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church, and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if my brother or sister sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.
Scripture Reading
Matthew 18:15-22 (NRSV)
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